Tuesday, December 30, 2008

CIUDAD JUAREZ (AFP) -- Ten people, including a police officer, were killed across Mexico in the hours before Christmas, in the latest spasm of violence in the country's brutal drug war, officials said on Friday.

Officials said the body of Javier Coapango, coordinator of public security for a town just outside Mexico City, was found dumped along the side of a road on Christmas eve. He had been kidnapped on December 17.

Another man was fatally shot in southern Mexico, while eight other corpses were found in the north, near the country's border with the United States, authorities said.

A state Justice Department official who was not authorized to be quoted by name said the bodies were discovered by a farmer.

The bodies were found near the town of Tuxtla Chico, about 55 miles (90 kilometers) south of another border settlement where Mexican and Guatemalan drug traffickers engaged in a series of gunbattles that killed 17 people last month.

Feuding drug cartels have engaged in a brutal battle for dominance, with more than 5,300 people have been killed this year across Mexico.

The rampant violence comes despite the deployment of 36,000 troops across the country.

3 Comments:

10 days! Without one of these stories, a government that though some time ago, shot down it's own students in the Zocalo Mexico square and has suppressed rebellions in Oaxaca and Michoacan, any rebellion except it seems commander Zero, I've got to think that with the acts against the army, there is a chance that the Mexican government has let hell loose on the Narco-Terrorists. Surely, in a land where mordidas, bribes are involved, the government must have some who have placated the Cartels but nonetheless, the Government during this time could be acting against these syndicates (imho) just the way Escobar and the others in Colombia could be dealt with but it might not be pretty.

Oh, and I didn't add on that the government may be letting all break loose but may be doing it in private. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Mexico has a military like so many places where men are required to serve though I'm not sure if this would pertain to the poorest. But something may be going on, the goverment being ruthless and it is being kept secret. Or maybe the government is placating these guys. I've heard the government has had good combat against some cartels but not others which might look like they are favoring some. Anyway, we will see.